Doctor insights on:
How To Test Immune System

1

No:
There are no recommended tests to determine the status of the immune system. The immune system and fuction is very complex. An immunologist can help evaluate relevent components of the immune systems in patient with recurrent sinopulmonary infections or other infections that might suggest an immune deficiency.
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2

Immune Evaluation:
There are a variety of labs to test immune function. Testing depends on what type of clinical symptoms you have and details of the recurrent infection you have been suffering from. Examples include immunoglobulin testing, complement testing, vaccine titers pre/post vaccination (pneumovax, diptheria, tetanus), lymphocyte subtypes, and rarely NK cell counts/function. See Immunologist for details.
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3

Good start:
Yes, the parameters you mentioned can be tested easily, and there are numerous other tests which may help to assess "immune function" which can be utilized depending upon the clinical situation and indices of suspicion. You might see either an infectious diseases expert or an immunologist. Good luck.
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5

IgG subclasses:
Why tested for? Those are rather special tests done if there is a suspicion of subclass deficiency guided by history and physical examination, if they were fine, means generally your immune system is functional, but there are some subtleties that need to be checked if still suspecting an immune problem. Kindly ask your doctor or your allergist/Immunologist about the results/other tests needed
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7

Need more details.:
You will need to tell us the type of tests involving the ELISA technique. Either false positive or false negative may mean a lab error, borderline values, or test results not corresponding with the disease condition. Each test has its own pluses and minuses.
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9

Blood tests:
Screening tests for immune function include antibody levels, a blood count with a breakdown of the cells and measurement of complement. If those are all normal, then your immune system is probably ok.
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10

Blood & skin tests:
The regular screening for immune defects includes both blood levels of immune factors and tests of immune function. Some tests are rather sophisticated & are done at specialty labs. Many can start with tests at your pcp's offfice.
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11

Not necessarily:
A complete blood count only looks at white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. The immune system can become compromised with a myriad of conditions (diabetes for example - where the CBC is often normal) speak to your physician why you think your immune system is compromised and go from there. In the meantime do not forget that food is medicine. Eat healthy, exercise, get adequate sleep.
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12

Wound healing:
Note that there are many factors why a particular wound would not heal as fast as expected; these may have nothing to do with a 'weak' immune system. The immunodeficiency disorders, relatively speaking, are uncommon. On the other hand, disorders like diabetes mellitus which can affect healing, are extremely common. Reviewing this issue with your doctor can lead to specific testing.
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13

First repeat the MMR:
The MMR was first given in the US after 1971 as a single dose after age 1 yr. By 1990's measles outbreaks at colleges led to addition of a second dose.Antibody screening can suggest the level is not high enough to be protective, but that does not mean you have a bad immune system, just a waning level. You may or may not have received that 2nd dose as a kid, or the batch was not as potent.
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15

Weak immune system:
Being immune-compromised can be primary, born this way, usually present early in life, and still rare, some types present late but not as severe. Or secondary, usually due to drugs or infection, e.g. HIV. History and physical examination direct which studies to pursue, usually CBCD and blood levels of immunoglobulins can be enough to tell us an immune status in the context of a clinical picture,
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16

See below:
It is unlikely that you have HTLV 1. It takes many years for symptoms to develop and person would have positive antibody result. You may consult this site for information on this topic.http://www. Webmd. Com/hiv-aids/htlv-type-i-and-type-iiFor good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk prodFor good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Drink enough water daily, so that your urine is mostly colorless. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. Practice safe sex, if you have sex.
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17

Immune system:
Your immunologist can check other tests to check on your immune system, such as response to other vaccines, immunoglobulin levels, etc. Not sure why the igg to pneumo was performed, but there must be a reason your doctor is recommending a vaccination for it at your age.
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18

Response:
Doubt that the meningitis permanently adversely affected your immune system. The basic measures can vary slightly, and unless you have HIV causing this, would find little if any concern regarding a slightly low CD-4 count. However, not knowing more particulars, can only comment generically.
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19

Up to you:
If you truly feel you have some immune system, it would be reasonable to see an immunologist. Ask your gp first if he feels you have an immune problem and discuss your case and why no testing has been done. S/he may have an explanation for you. Best wishes.
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20

Kindly relax:
It is mainly a localized condition, in its place, the best to judge for treatment options is your specialized doctor, whether surgery or other modality, just trust your care givers, good luck
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21

Endocrinologist:
You have what is called autoimmune thyroid disease. You need to be evaluated by an endocrinologist, who specializes in hormonal diseases, to better understand your diagnosis and determine if therapy is warranted.
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Results:
Results from blood tests areusually available from the laboratory in less than a week.You might want to call the doctor's office to see if they have received the results. Dest wishes.
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23

No, but...:
Despite all the "pop" stuff from people trying to sell you something on the internet, "weak / compromised immune system" as understood by today's science is uncommon. If you are hiv-, are not having severe fever blisters, candida surface infections, or bacterial infections unlike those that others suffer, you'll do yourself a favor by not letting these people frighten you.
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Irrelevant test:
Unfortunately, food allergy testing by skin test or blood test is not very predictive. A negative skin test is very good about saying a person is not allergic, but positive blood and skin tests are very common and are clinically relevant less than 50% of the time. The real milk test is what happens when you drink it----nothing. This is a problem with the test and not your immune system.
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25

Not normal:
But common especially in females, inadequately treated uti's or recurrent uti's, a common presenting condition, might need more extensive investigation of the urinary tract, and possibly long term prophylactic antibiotics, probing the immune system won't harm, recurrent cold sores are common too, can occur in immunocompetent persons, goodluck,
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26

CBC:
Your complete blood count measures the number and type of white blood cells, which are an important part of your immune system. If they are normal, you are unlikely to have a significant immune system problem (there are rare immune system abnormalities that do not show on your cbc).
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29

Immune system:
Your Immune system is a general term for your body's ability to fight infections. There are textbooks written on the subject as it is very complex but includes various body organs and blood cells to keep your body free from foreign invasions.
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